Adult Education

Adult Education classes are non-credit and are provided at no cost to learners who qualify. Students acquire basic academic skills that assist them in transitioning to employment, training and postsecondary education. Black Hawk College holds classes at learning centers throughout the district.

Eligibility

Requirements vary by program. Select a program for details and contact Adult Education for additional information.

Support Services

TransportationBus tickets are available to students who receive public assistance, are unemployed or underemployed (determined by income). To request bus tickets, please ask at the class site location.

Services for students with disabilitiesIf you will need accommodations due to a disability (e.g. sign language interpreter, special seating) to participate in any BHC activity or program, please call the BHC Quad-Cities Campus Disability Services Office at 309-796-5900 or 309-716-3310 (video phone) or contact Adult Education staff. A one-week advance notice of accommodation needs is recommended. For more information visit Disability Services.

Parenting preparation
Pregnant and parenting students have access to individual counseling sessions as well as family living, nutrition, and child care and development classes.

Community linkages
With the student’s permission, Optional Education will coordinate services and goals with social service agencies, psychologists, psychiatrists, court services and drug/alcohol programs.

Counseling – Optional Education
The Youth Service Bureau provides counseling services to students enrolled in the Optional Education program.

Anyone who is 18 years of age or older, maintained residence in the State of Illinois for at least 30 days, and are not high school graduates, but whose high school class has graduated.
A member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, who is 17 years of age or older, and who is stationed in Illinois or is a legal resident of Illinois
A ward of the Department of Corrections who is 17 years of age or older, or an inmate confined in any branch of the Illinois State Penitentiary or in a county correctional facility.
A female/male who is 17 years of age or older who is unable to attend school because she is either pregnant or the mother/father of one or more children
A person who is 17 years of age or older who has been a dropout for a period of at least one year
A person who is successfully competing an alternative education program under Section 2-3.81 or Article 13A of The School Code of Illinois
A person who is enrolled in the youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard (Lincoln’s Challenge)

Minimum score of 410 on any individual test
Maintain an over-all average of 450 points per test
Minimum total score from all 5 tests must be 2250 points
The Constitution score is not included in this total
High school transcript of a passed Constitution test will waive this test
Transcript to be sent to the Regional Office of Education

Individual test score of less than 410 requires a retake for a charge of $5 or $10 (Writing)
Limited to 3 retakes in the same subjects in a calendar year
No limit of tries for the Constitution test and no charge

Documentation of disability to be submitted to the Regional Office
Request Form L-15 or Form SA-001 when you register for special needs
Includes extended time, large print test, audio tape versions, readers and scribes

Cooperating schools require students to attend a class for a specified number of hours per .5 credit. While in attendance, students must complete the required assigned work at a passing level. Each class completed is worth one-half credit. Credit cannot be earned unless both attendance and work requirements are met.

Students have the potential to earn credit more quickly in their home schools. Students who complete a full schedule of classes at the home school have the potential to earn 7 credits per year. Optional Education has a shorter day (4 or 5 hours), so students can only expect to complete 4 to 5 credits during an academic year. Some students earn less due to poor attendance or productivity

GED® students prepare to demonstrate that they have the same skills as the average high school graduate in five fields: Literature and the Arts, Writing Skills, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics. Students are tested when they enroll to help determine what areas need attention. Instructors then work with students to design a program that meets individual needs.

GED® graduates are eligible to enroll in college classes. While GED® graduates with high GED® and college entrance scores may go directly to a four-year institution, many begin college at a community college like Black Hawk College. A college-bound GED® student should strive to earn scores that are higher than the minimum passing score. The student should also consider enrolling in keyboarding and introductory computer classes. Typing and computer skills will make the transition to college much easier.

GED®

Anyone who is 18 years of age or older, maintained residence in the State of Illinois for at least 30 days, and are not high school graduates, but whose high school class has graduated.
A member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, who is 17 years of age or older, and who is stationed in Illinois or is a legal resident of Illinois
A ward of the Department of Corrections who is 17 years of age or older, or an inmate confined in any branch of the Illinois State Penitentiary or in a county correctional facility.
A female/male who is 17 years of age or older who is unable to attend school because she is either pregnant or the mother/father of one or more children
A person who is 17 years of age or older who has been a dropout for a period of at least one year
A person who is successfully competing an alternative education program under Section 2-3.81 or Article 13A of The School Code of Illinois
A person who is enrolled in the youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard (Lincoln’s Challenge)

Minimum score of 410 on any individual test
Maintain an over-all average of 450 points per test
Minimum total score from all 5 tests must be 2250 points
The Constitution score is not included in this total
High school transcript of a passed Constitution test will waive this test
Transcript to be sent to the Regional Office of Education

Individual test score of less than 410 requires a retake for a charge of $5 or $10 (Writing)
Limited to 3 retakes in the same subjects in a calendar year
No limit of tries for the Constitution test and no charge

Documentation of disability to be submitted to the Regional Office
Request Form L-15 or Form SA-001 when you register for special needs
Includes extended time, large print test, audio tape versions, readers and scribes

HS & Youth GED®

Cooperating schools require students to attend a class for a specified number of hours per .5 credit. While in attendance, students must complete the required assigned work at a passing level. Each class completed is worth one-half credit. Credit cannot be earned unless both attendance and work requirements are met.

Students have the potential to earn credit more quickly in their home schools. Students who complete a full schedule of classes at the home school have the potential to earn 7 credits per year. Optional Education has a shorter day (4 or 5 hours), so students can only expect to complete 4 to 5 credits during an academic year. Some students earn less due to poor attendance or productivity

GED® students prepare to demonstrate that they have the same skills as the average high school graduate in five fields: Literature and the Arts, Writing Skills, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics. Students are tested when they enroll to help determine what areas need attention. Instructors then work with students to design a program that meets individual needs.

GED® graduates are eligible to enroll in college classes. While GED® graduates with high GED® and college entrance scores may go directly to a four-year institution, many begin college at a community college like Black Hawk College. A college-bound GED® student should strive to earn scores that are higher than the minimum passing score. The student should also consider enrolling in keyboarding and introductory computer classes. Typing and computer skills will make the transition to college much easier.